PRABALGAD FORT CAMPING WILL MAKE YOU MORE ADVENTURER
ABOUT PRABALGAD
The Prabalgad Fort stands at an elevation of
2300 feet in the Western Ghats which is known for greenery spread-ed
all around surrounding Mountains. The fort was previously known as Muramjam
until it was taken over and renamed by the Maratha forces under Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj’s rule. This is one of those fort which was captured and
recaptured by Shivaji Maharaj. Its sister fort is Irshalgad which is next to it
in the north. The fort is situated at Thakurwadi village in the Panvel. This is one of those place that gives the courage to do most adventurous trek. Prabalgad fort camping will make you more adventurer.
HOW TO REACH PRABALGAD FORT
Thakurwadi village in Panvel district is the
base village and starting point of this trek.
It is easily accessible by air, road, and train.
By Air
Nearest
airport is Pune and Mumbai International airport. After getting down at airport
one can hire self-drive car or can option for bus and train.
BY Road
Panvel is 140 km from Pune and 80 km from
Mumbai. Panvel highway is well accessible from Mumbai and Pune. Straight road
from Mumbai will leave you at Panvel. From highway left road goes towards
Thakurwadi village. It is further 14 km from Panvel. Direct bus is available
for Panvel bus stop and then another bus to Thakurwadi village.
By Train
Get down at Panvel railway station on Mumbai
Harbour line, walk further 5 min to reach state transport bus stand and take
transport bus to Thakurwadi village. Bus fare is normal between 30-40 INR. Regular
local trains available from Mumbai to Panvel. From Pune few express stops at
Panvel. From Panvel direct cabs are available in range between 150 INR to 200
INR.
HISTORY OF PRABALGAD FORT
The Prabalgad Fort was built by the Bahmani
Sultanate to keep an eye on the Panvel fort and Kalyan fort in the North Konkan
area. Around 1458 A.D, “Malik Ahmad” the prime minister of the kingdom of
Ahmednagar, took over the fort during his conquest of Konkan. After
disintegration of the Bahmani Sultanate, the fort remained with the Ahmadnagar
Sultanate.
During the collapse of Ahmednagar Sultanate,
Shahaji led a helping hand against the separate forces of the Mughal Empire and
the Adil Shahi dynasty. After the collapse of Sultanate, he moved to Muranjan
along with his wife Jijabai and son Shivaji for a brief period of time.
However, following Shahaji’s defeat and the agreement of Mahuli, North Konkan
along with the fort, was ceded to Mughals who granted ruling authority of the
area to Adilshah of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered the fort from the
Mughals in 1657 A.D, after which established himself in the Kalyan-Bhivandi
area. During the attack of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the fort was governed by “Kesar
Singh”, a Mughal sardar and was force to put up a strong resistance. Singh dead
during the battle in October 1657. Kesar Singh’s mother hid herself and her
grandchild during the attack. Chhatrapati Shivaji in act of kindness made sure
the lady and the child were allowed a safe passage out.
In the year 1826, Umaji Naik, a freedom fighter
and his associates were believed to have made the fort as their home for a
brief period of time.
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| DETAIL HISTORY OF PRABALGAD FORT |
NIGHT TREK TO PRABALGAD FORT
Coming to my story of this mysterious trek, night
trek to Prabalgad was on back of my mind since I saw the photos of it. A
first glimpse of it, when I hiked to Kalavantin pinnacle had left indelible
impression on my mind and I was looking for an opportunity to visit it at the
earliest. This was one of the safest night trek that I had heard from visitors.
I started searching more information regarding safety of this trek. On weekend
especially pre monsoon many enthusiast’s hike here for fireflies special trek.
I decided to head here along with my friends. We reserved our one weekend for this trek.
As decided we left in the late evening on bike from Mumbai to reach base
village of this trek. We reached at Thakurwadi around 11 pm in night and parked
our vehicle at base point. There were so many other vehicles already parked,
seems some people would have already started.
The road goes from the right side
of the parking area with easy and clear path. Trekking in silent under moon
light was so pleasant. We hardly needed
torches or headlights during the hike. Panvel and adjacent roads were glowing
with the lights and it was pleasing sight for the eyes, to see the twinkling
fireflies light up the night sky. These bio-luminescent creatures flock to dense
forests during pre-monsoon, as it is the ideal season. We saw a scenic views
all around. After walk of around 10 minutes, you come to the check-point where
one needs to pay 50 INR entry fees. Both Prabalgad and Kalavantin fort looks
prominent from here. We walked for almost 1 hour to reach Prabalmachi plateau.
The route is Zigzag till the Prabalmachi plateau. The village has a restaurant,
toilets built up for visitors. Tents can also be taken on rent. They may charge
around 300 to 500 INR per tent. This is first camping site, some people
stays here and starts the trek early in the morning. Being regular hikers we
had our own camping gear including sleeping bag and tent, so we decide to put
tents at summit point of this trek. Prabalmachi plateau is having a vast surface and enough space for camping. There are two possible
treks from Prabalmachi-one to Prabalgad Fort and another to Kalavantin Fort.
Prabalmachi trek is easier but longer while the Kalavantin trek is known to be
most difficult but not very long. There are many accident that has happened at Kalavantin durg. There are hotels available at Machi that
serve home-made food in day time.
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| NIGHT VIEW OF PANVEL |
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| ROCK MARKING TOWARDS PRABALGAD |
Next day we woke up at 6 am to witness the beautiful view
of sunrise. It is so pretty to see sunrise from the height of 2300 feet and sun
paints the sky with different shades. Once at the top you treated to a
breath-taking view of the Western Ghats that includes the Kalavantin Pinnacle
standing close to the fort, along with various other forts. On the west you
can see the Peb and Chanderi fort. Karnala fort can also be seen to the north,
and Manikgad fort stands tall towards the south. With the forts, you also get
to see the Ulhas River cutting across the green landscape, and the Mumbai-Pune
expressway winding through the hills. After witnessing the sunrise view, we
started descending our trek with photos of morning view. At night we could not
click much photos due to no light.
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| KALAVANTIN ON LEFT AND PRABALGAD ON RIGHT |
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| PRABALGAD VALLEY |
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| SUNRISE VIEW AT PRABALGAD |
IDEAL TIME TO VISIT PRABALGAD FORT
Prabalgad Fort can be visit throughout the years.
Ideal time to visit here is October to May, especially post
monsoon when climate is pleasant along with greenery all around and path
becomes so photogenic.
pre monsoon is best for fireflies’ activity with camping.
You might want to avoid trekking in monsoon as rocks becomes
slippery and trekking can be dangerous in this season.
PLACES TO STAY IF VISITING PRABALGAD FORT
There are small hotel’s available at Prabalmachi
plateau that provides accommodation if informed before.
If you are going with any tour operator, then
they will arrange your accommodation.
Locals provides tents on rent costing from 700
INR to 1000 INR per tent. There are enough space at Plateau and summit point
for camping.
One can also do camping with own tent.
If you are hungry at Prabalmachi and want
to try something new then must go for home-made food easily available at
Prabalmachi village. It is so delicious. The lunch and dinner includes
Maharashtrian food like Bhakri ‘Indian flat bread’ made of rice and Pithla. Some of the well-known food is Non-veg and
fish thali.
THINGS TO EXPLORE AROUND PRABALGAD FORT
- Fireflies trek to Prabalgad Fort
- Kalavantin- Most dangerous trek
- Irshalgad- Sister Fort of Prabalgad
- Chanderi Fort
- Manikgad
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE TREKKING TO PRABALGAD FORT
- Try to start the trek early morning because sunlight heat ups the rocks in the afternoon.
- There is entry fees of 50 RS that needs to pay at first check point.
- Parking space is available at base that may charge you 30 INR for two wheeler to 80 INR for four wheeler.
- Carry enough food and water if trekking in night, at day time there are sources available for food and water.
- At last do not drink on Fort and do not litter the area.
Interesting detailed blog
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